Full Kan Rules: Ankan, Minkan, and Shouminkan
Sep 23, 2026 · 5 min read
A Kan is a declaration of 4 identical tiles as one set. There are three types of Kan, each with its own rules and consequences.
The Three Kan Types
- Ankan (Closed Kan) -- all four tiles are already in your own hand, declared without claiming anyone's discard. Still counts as closed for yaku like Sanankou/Suuankou.
- Minkan (Open Kan) -- completing a triplet by claiming the 4th tile from an opponent's discard. Makes that set (and your hand) open.
- Shouminkan (Added Kan) -- adding the 4th tile onto an existing Pon. This is the only Kan type that can be "robbed" (Chankan) by another player for a Ron.
How Kan Affects the Game
Every Kan (of any type) triggers a new kan dora indicator to be revealed, and you draw one extra tile from the dead wall (rinshan) after declaring it. If that rinshan tile immediately completes your hand, that's a special yaku called Rinshan Kaihou.
The maximum Kans in a single hand is 4 in total (from any players combined) -- if a 5th Kan is attempted, the hand automatically ends in a draw (unless all four Kans came from the same player).
Learn the riichi rules connected to Kan after declaring.
Read About the Riichi Yaku →